Morneau and Parmelee

Do you know why the Twins should both hang onto and trade Morneau and find a spot for Chris Parmelee? It's because they are both two of the hottest hitters in baseball, Parmelee since his callup (no surprise there with the way he was raking in AAA) and Morneau since the All-Star Break (very pleasant surprise).

Here are some current rankings and stats for the two players, with all info coming from Major League Baseball, under the sub-categories of 1B from all teams, not just those who are qualified to have enough AB's, and on Post-All Star Break settings. I also don't think that these stats include the game on 9/12/2012.

Morneau: Since the All-Star break, in 53 games, he is 10th in AB's with 198, 8th in Runs Scored, Tied for 3rd in hits with 64, 6th in doubles with 12, Tied for 12th with 8 HR, 6th with 37 RBI's, 5th in BA with a .323 mark (which is actually behind Parmelee), 11th in OBP with a .373 mark, 9th in slugging % with a .515 mark, and 7th in OPS with an .888 mark. This is all a great improvement for Morneau who was near the top in very few categories before the All-Star Break and has had a remarkable improvement overall.

Parmelee has been giving the Twins an uber-strong case to bring him north next year this year, and he is doing as well if not better than Morneau recently (because he was only called up recently). Over just 13 games, he is hitting .354 with 3 doubles, 3 HR, 12 RBI's, and OBP of .373, a slugging % of .604 (second in majors), and a .977 OPS which is ranking him 3rd in the Majors.

So, yeah, the Twins have two strong candidates to have at first, a happy situation with their current lack of big-name, power pitching and the lack of above-average 1st basemen in the offseason FA lists. So the Twins should use this situation to their advantage, by either trading Span and putting Parms in RF and Revere and center and keeping Morneau or trading Morneau, putting Parms at first, and either keep Span or trade him, depending on whether or not the FO feels that one or more of their precious OF prospects is ready to hit the Bigs.

I am for trading Morneau and playing Parmelee at first base. It's not even close. Parmelee in RF does not make the OF good at all and Morneau's $14 million is useful elsewhere. Span or Revere become tradeable with the rise of Hicks. Arcia would add depth.

I was of the opinion that Morneau should be traded if you could get even a B-minus level prospect for him and clear the money for next year, BUT...

It is only one season's worth of salary, and knowing and listening to Terry Ryan, I'm not so sure we can assume that $14 million would go towards free agent players of any substance, and especially rotation guys. If they did trade Morneau for a borderline prospect, and it turns out that they sign one Jason Marquis-type starter for next season and then either sit on the rest of the money or do something like picking up Matt Capps' option or doing a one-year deal with Baker, how would you feel about giving up Morneau then? Because I think any of those are more likely than seeing the Twins commit more than $30 or $40 million to any starting pitcher. Plus, of course, Morneau's contract being traded only clears up a small portion of that salary, and only for one year.

It's likely this team cuts salary even more next year, based on performance and attendance declines.

I was of the opinion that Morneau should be traded if you could get even a B-minus level prospect for him and clear the money for next year, BUT...

It is only one season's worth of salary, and knowing and listening to Terry Ryan, I'm not so sure we can assume that $14 million would go towards free agent players of any substance, and especially rotation guys. If they did trade Morneau for a borderline prospect, and it turns out that they sign one Jason Marquis-type starter for next season and then either sit on the rest of the money or do something like picking up Matt Capps' option or doing a one-year deal with Baker, how would you feel about giving up Morneau then? Because I think any of those are more likely than seeing the Twins commit more than $30 or $40 million to any starting pitcher. Plus, of course, Morneau's contract being traded only clears up a small portion of that salary, and only for one year.

It's likely this team cuts salary even more next year, based on performance and attendance declines.

Yeah, if that is the trajectory of things, I would want nothing to do with trading Morneau. My god, they can't actually RUN A BUSINESS like that, right?

I was of the opinion that Morneau should be traded if you could get even a B-minus level prospect for him and clear the money for next year, BUT...

It is only one season's worth of salary, and knowing and listening to Terry Ryan, I'm not so sure we can assume that $14 million would go towards free agent players of any substance, and especially rotation guys. If they did trade Morneau for a borderline prospect, and it turns out that they sign one Jason Marquis-type starter for next season and then either sit on the rest of the money or do something like picking up Matt Capps' option or doing a one-year deal with Baker, how would you feel about giving up Morneau then? Because I think any of those are more likely than seeing the Twins commit more than $30 or $40 million to any starting pitcher. Plus, of course, Morneau's contract being traded only clears up a small portion of that salary, and only for one year.

This.

There is little point (and considerable downside) to trading Morneau unless the team plans to spend the money elsewhere or they can get something of value for him.

At some point they need to decide if they will just put a few more band aids on the roster or if the are really going to rebuild, For two years now the band aid approach hasn't worked, maybe it's time to move on from the past and rebuild, at least that could give us some hope.

I'd deal Morneau, and use the money for legit, big time, starting pitching. Take a flyer on Parmalee being ready.

What I just typed is probably an opinion, not a fact. I mean, I'm usually right, so you should maybe assume it is or will be a fact soon, but that's up to you. Also, I am NOT trying to convince anyone I am correct, I'm just talking here, not arguing.

What I just typed is probably an opinion, not a fact. I mean, I'm usually right, so you should maybe assume it is or will be a fact soon, but that's up to you. Also, I am NOT trying to convince anyone I am correct, I'm just talking here, not arguing.

I'm going to stick with the idea that you don't get in hurry to deal Morneau this offseason until you either a.) absolutely need the budget room, which means you've signed a big time pitcher, or b.) get an offer you simply can't refuse.

I think with Morneau's resurgence late this season and the extreme lack of even average 1B on the FA market this year, if a team not named the Boston Red Sox comes calling WITH A GOOD DEAL, the Twins should listen and listen hard.

The question was, what would I do, not what do I think the Twins will do....those are very, very, very different things. I would trade him, and sign two legit starting pitchers.

What I just typed is probably an opinion, not a fact. I mean, I'm usually right, so you should maybe assume it is or will be a fact soon, but that's up to you. Also, I am NOT trying to convince anyone I am correct, I'm just talking here, not arguing.

Morneau's good play could make him more valuable as a trade chip. I don't think it makes sense to have them on the same team but it would be nice to have the depth if one of them were to get hurt at some point in 2013.